On Saturday, Nov. 8, the City of Boston hosted its annual veterans parade to celebrate and honor the city’s veteran community.
The event, run by the City of Boston’s Veterans Services, featured several military groups along with marching bands and other ceremonial members. It came several days before nationwide Veteran’s Day Nov. 11, a federal holiday.
“A lot of times, what people know of veterans is what they see in the movies … they don’t interact with veterans … this is definitely one way for them to actually do that and see us. The parade means volumes in that sense,” said Robert Santiago, the commissioner of Boston’s Veterans Services and a retired U.S. Navy sailor.
The parade began at the Boston Public Library at noon, followed by a march to City Hall Plaza.
Among those walking in the parade were members of the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or JROTC, at East Boston High School. Cadets are not required to serve in the military upon completing the program, as their participation is simply meant to foster community and leadership.
“I feel proud. I am representing my community, the kids that we have displayed here. It is a proud moment for us and our school,” said Sebastian Gaviria, the JROTC battalion commander and a senior at East Boston High School.
Members of East Boston JROTC said they feel it’s important to serve their community and participate in this event to honor the veterans.
“[We are] celebrating Veterans Day, recognizing that Veterans [Day] is not just for the deceased, it’s [for] veterans whether they are past, present and the future ones coming through,” said Lee Fife, East Boston JROTC senior instructor and a retired lieutenant colonel in the [what force].
Another group that earned a spot in the parade was the Massachusetts-based Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company, the oldest military organization in the Western Hemisphere.
“We do this just the Saturday before Veterans Day, just supporting [the veterans],” said Donald Schiarizzi, one of the group’s members.
The parade is livened by multiple musical groups, including Danvers High School’s marching band, which has performed at the city’s veterans parade for the last five years, according to Jeff Daniels, the band’s director.
“We just love doing parades, and this is always a nice time to come into downtown Boston and support our local veterans,” Daniels said.
The procession ended at City Hall Plaza, when organizers introduced each group to the crowd and Mayor Michelle Wu and the grand marshall of the parade, Rashuan Morris, gave speeches before raising the flag.
In her speech, Wu announced a new paid leave policy that gives city employees on active duty 40 days of full pay per year.
“For 250 years and beyond, our veterans have carried forward Boston’s spirit of fierce independence, answering every call, leaving comfort behind and risking everything so that all of us could be free,” Wu said.
Morris followed next with an inspiring speech about her time serving in the Coast Guard.
“If you don’t remember anything else I say, remember this: You are strong, you are powerful and you are capable,” Morris said. “We have had some amazing military heroes over the years, and oftentimes, these were ordinary people that did extraordinary things and changed the world.”
Though the parade was successful, active duty service members from the USS Constitution, National Guard and Coast Guard were unable to participate due to the government shutdown.
“Due to the shutdown and operational commitments, they weren’t able to march with us this year. So that element was missing from the parade, but something we’re looking forward to having back next year,” Santiago said.
The parade celebrated the city’s veterans and honored the Boston community, bringing together residents and city and state leaders, including Massachusetts Senator Mike Rush.
“All you have to do is drive around this great city … there are parks, memorials, street corners, dedicated to those who served … it’s a living memory throughout our city of Boston, and through our tremendous history,” Rush said.
